Ambulance Billing: Frequently Asked Questions

What happens after I receive an Albuquerque Fire Rescue Ambulance Transport?

The Albuquerque Fire Rescue, through its contracted billing company, will attempt to bill all known insurances, including Medicare, Medicaid and Commercial for services rendered. If we are unable to determine your insurance provider (and you are not covered by Medicare or Medicaid), or the insurance provider does not pay the bill in full, or the Medicare/Medicaid/insurance provider refuses/denies the claim, you may receive a bill. The bill will contain instructions on how to remit payment. The bill is ultimately your responsibility.

What happens if the bill is not paid?

Payment is due thirty (30) days from invoice. Failure to pay may result in the account being referred to a collection agency on contract with the city, and may be subject to interest, penalties and collection fees as applicable. Once a delinquent account has been turned over to the contracted collection agency, the person, firm, or business, responsible for the account will deal directly with the collection agency for payment. If you are uninsured, your insurance denies your claim, or a balance remains after your insurance has paid, or are not covered by Medicare or Medicaid, you will be responsible for the balance in full.

What forms of payment do you accept?

The Albuquerque Fire Rescues billing company will accept personal checks, money orders, cashier's checks, or cash (credit cards will not be accepted). Payment shall be sent to the address provided on the billing invoice.

Why do I have to pay?

Any patient transported in an ambulance in the City of Albuquerque will receive a bill for services rendered. This bill will come from the EMS service that provided the transport. The Albuquerque Fire Rescue is not an exception and will bill patients for EMS transports. The fees are set by tariff as approved by the State of New Mexico's Public Regulation Commission. The current rates are included below.

What if I do not receive a bill?

The Albuquerque Fire Rescue will charge all customers for EMS transports. However, if you were not transported by Albuquerque Fire Rescue then you will not receive a bill from Albuquerque Fire Rescue. More importantly, you may still receive a bill for the EMS response or transport if provided by another ambulance service.

Our EMTs make every effort to collect as much information as possible at the time services are provided; however, it is not always possible to collect enough information for the Billing Division to locate a customer.

If you have not received a bill for an Albuquerque Fire Rescue EMS transport within thirty (30) days of receiving services, please contact a representative at (888) 469-7789 Option (press) 1 then Option (press) 3 in order to determine if a bill was sent and not received or no bill or payment was required.

If you were transported by Albuquerque Ambulance Service, please call them at (505) 449-5700.

Do I have to accept EMS services?

No. You have the right to refuse any treatment or transport. In such case you will be required to sign a release form acknowledging that you have refused EMS services. However, you may still be billed for a patient assessment, without EMS transport, by an ambulance service.

What if I wish to dispute my bill?

All disputes must be submitted in writing. The Albuquerque Fire Rescue will research the history of the case and examine the nature of the dispute and then respond with a written determination. Such written determination shall be final. Please send your submission to:

Albuquerque Fire Rescue11500 Sunset Gardens SWAlbuquerque, NM 87121

What if the customer is deceased?

If an Albuquerque Fire Rescue ambulance transport customer has passed away and left no insurance or estate through which to pay for ambulance charges, you may show proof with an original death certificate and the City will dismiss any remaining balance.